With Love,From Russia

‘Raduga’ means ‘rainbow’ in Russian. A group thus named performed popular Russian folk songs and dances at Bal Shikshan Mandir,on Wednesday,June 15. The occasion was a cultural event organised by the Consul General of Russia,Mumbai,and the Russian Center for Science and Culture,Mumbai,in celebration of two landmark historical points in Russia’s history – 20 years since the formation of the Russian State and the 50 th anniversary of Yuri Alekseyevich Gagarin’s first voyage into outer space.

Singer Nedestha Beculeva performed songs depicting several moods at the function. “Our culture is too diverse to be fit into a few songs and dances. But it is our endeavor to bring a small part of Russian folk culture to the stage and share it with a country which has such a rich culture that we would love to explore as well. It is an honour to perform in India,” she says. Her songs included the Katusha,a classical lament of a girl whose lover is at the front fighting a war; a song about evening chit-chat among fellow Russians; and even a song about the songs sung in Russia! Marina Cheprasowa,a dancer,says,“Russian people are generally very warm-hearted. Our culture is liberal and colourful,much like what I have noticed about the Indian culture as well. The common thing about our culture and the Indian culture is the hospitality that the people show. People of both nations are also adept at appreciating the arts.”

The dances were peppy performances that depicted the joy of youth in a Russian village,the spirit of competition as four Russian couples have a dance showdown,a rope dance by the boys to woo the girls,a Russian fantasy dance,a Ukrainian folk dance,Kopak,which means to jump,and the traditional Loshkari dance,with innovative use of spoons.